Inview Technology

{{for|the [[British Film Institute|BFI]] online history project "InView"|JISC Digitisation Programme}} {{Update|part=all|reason=All information is dated; company may not be a going concern.|date=August 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox company |name = Inview Technology Ltd |logo = Inview logo 2.jpg |type = Broadcast and OTT solutions{{buzzword inline|date=November 2020}} |foundation = 1996 <br>Rebranded 2006 |defunct = |location = [[Northwich]], United Kingdom |key_people = [[Nick Markham]] (Chairman)<br>[[Ken Austin (inventor)|Ken Austin]] (Vice chairman)<br>[[Julie Austin]] (CEO) |num_employees = 85 |industry = Media & telecoms |products = Inview Inside, [[EPG]], [[Video on demand]], [[set-top boxes]], [[Digital television transition|analogue switch off]] |revenue = |parent = Private company |homepage = http://inview.tv/ }}

'''Inview Technology''' ('''Inview Technology Ltd''' or simply '''Inview''') is a UK-based digital TV software company. It specialises in advanced [[EPG]]s,<ref>{{cite web |date=16 April 2012 |title=Inview Technology Partner with Novatek to Launch Innovative Digital TV Platform |url=http://www.sys-con.com/node/1575530 |publisher=sys-con.com Media |ref=Austin, Ken}}</ref> [[broadcast|interactive broadcasts]], and [[Internet Protocol|IP services]] for [[Pay television|Pay-TV]] and [[Digital television transition|analogue switch off]] markets.<ref name="Broadcast Asia 2014">{{cite web|title=Broadcast Asia 2014|url=http://www.broadcast-asia.com/ptm/ShowCat/exhdetail.asp?exhid=BCA869655|website=broadcast-asia.com|accessdate=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726130715/http://www.broadcast-asia.com/ptm/ShowCat/exhdetail.asp?exhid=BCA869655|archive-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their [[Over-the-top content|OTT]] TV platform allows television broadcast and internet content to be simultaneously accessible to the viewer. The company is based in [[Northwich]], Cheshire, UK and is privately owned.

Inview have been involved in digital TV in the UK since the late 1990s, providing software for set-top boxes manufactured by [[Digifusion]], Thomson and Sony, alongside the Teletext Extra [[EPG]] (later renamed [[Radio Times Extra]]). [[Nick Markham]], Inview's chairman, developed the concept of [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] alongside the BBC and previously worked for Top-up TV.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/oct/28/1|title=Today's media stories from the papers|newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 October 2003}}</ref> By late 2016, Inview were enabling digital switchover for whole countries such as Nigeria (started in June 2016) and which will provide a Freeview / Freesat type broadcasting platform and implement a BBC style license fee system to 30 million TV households.<ref>[https://vimeo.com/127026346 Digital TV Europ]; August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BeRTujM46U Business Live, BBC World]; interview with [[Nick Markham]], Chairman of Inview technology; published 17 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.</ref>

The company was appointed in March 2015 by [[Nigerian Broadcasting Commission|National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)]] to enable digital switchover from analogue<ref name="Talk media Nigeria">{{cite web|title=NBC Appoints Inview Technologies for Common Set-Up-Box System|url=http://talkmedianigeria.com/2015/03/21/nbc-appoints-inview-technologies-for-common-set-up-box-system/|website=talkmedianigeria.com|publisher=Talk media Nigeria|accessdate=23 March 2015}}</ref> throughout the country; it will also provide set-top box software and services including full EPG, Push Video-On-Demand, a range of broadcasting applications such as news and public service information.<ref name=nbc.gov.ng>{{cite web|title=NATIONAL COMMON SET TOP BOX SYSTEM AGREEMNENT |url=http://www.nbc.gov.ng/highlight.php?id=164 |website=nbc.gov.ng |publisher=National Broadcasting Commission of Nigeria |accessdate=23 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155204/http://www.nbc.gov.ng/highlight.php?id=164 |archivedate=2 April 2015 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.digitaltvnews.net/?p=27177 apidtvnews.com]; title: ''Nigeria takes delivery of first DTT set-top boxes''. Retrieved 24 August 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/business/broadcast-digitisation-mtn-launches-tv-service-in-jos-offers-30-free-channels/148503.html dailytrust.com.ng] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924132834/http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/business/broadcast-digitisation-mtn-launches-tv-service-in-jos-offers-30-free-channels/148503.html |date=24 September 2016 }}; title: ''Broadcast Digitisation: MTN launches TV service in Jos, offers 30 free channels'' by Hir Joseph, Jos | Publish Date: 26 May 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.</ref>

A Mexican TV company, Dish Mexico, has appointed Inview to provide software and services.<ref>[http://www.rapidtvnews.com/2016061543239/dish-network-takes-on-inview-ecosystem.html rapidtvnews.com]; title: ''Dish Mexico selects Inview for DTH ecosystem''; Tuesday, 14 June 2016 . Retrieved 24 August 2016.</ref><ref>[http://nextvlatam.com/dish-mexico-appointed-inview-provide-advanced-dth-ecosystem/ http://nextvlatam.com/ Next TV news] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918082411/http://nextvlatam.com/dish-mexico-appointed-inview-provide-advanced-dth-ecosystem/ |date=18 September 2016 }}; title: DISH MEXICO APPOINTED INVIEW TO PROVIDE AN ADVANCED DTH ECOSYSTEM; 16 June 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.digitaltvnews.net/?p=27623 digitaltvnews.net]; title: ''Dish Mexico selects Inview for DTH ecosystem''; 14 June 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.</ref>

Also in 2016, Inview was contracted to supply middleware for Cignal, the largest satellite provider in the [[Philippines]], which enabled Cignal to directly communicate with their customers through the user interface, Inview's new EPG and other services such as advertising. This is all supplied within Zapper satellite boxes. <ref>{{cite news |title=Philippines: Inview middleware for Cignal |url=https://advanced-television.com/2016/08/19/philippines-inview-to-provide-middleware-for-cignal/ |access-date=9 November 2023 |work=Advanced Television |date=19 August 2016}}</ref>

In 2014 and 2015 their partners include [[Humax]] and [[Skyworth]], China's largest set-top box company,<ref name=advanced-television.com>{{cite web|title=Skyworth to integrate Inview services|url=http://advanced-television.com/2014/06/13/skyworth-to-integrate-inview-services|website=advanced-television.com|date=13 June 2014|accessdate=22 July 2014}}</ref> and silicon partners include [[MStar Semiconductor|Mstar]] and [[Broadcom]]. They signed a deal with Pico Digital, Inc. to develop the next generation set-top box for the Latin American market, as well as Dish Mexico.<ref name=Farncombe>{{cite web|url=http://advanced-television.com/2013/05/14/farncombe-inview-deliver-ott-solutions-to-latam/|title=Farncombe, Inview deliver OTT solutions to LatAm|date=14 May 2013}}</ref>

==History== The company was started in 1996. Inview provided a chip based EPG, broadcast data service and a digital TV software platform for the free to air terrestrial market.

It was one of the first companies to launch a broadcast TV listings service, known as [[4TVInteractive]]. However, in 2010 Inview ceased support for this service and this affected a number of Digifusion, Inverto, Thomson and Sony Set-top boxes<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ukfree.tv/article/1107051693/InView_EPG_death_boxes | title=InView EPG death – boxes | access-date=28 January 2015 | archive-date=6 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306031108/https://ukfree.tv/article/1107051693/InView_EPG_death_boxes | url-status=dead }}</ref> and caused them to show only now and next information, rather than a full [[EPG]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltvbanter.co.uk/uk-tech-digital-tv-digital/27870-inview-epg-withdrawn-digifusion-thomson.html|title=InView EPG to be withdrawn – DigiFusion / Thomson PVRs affected – Digital TV Banter}}</ref>

==Services== Servies provided by Inview include whole country switch-over, [[Over-the-top media service|OTT]] services, broadcast services, advertising, EPG, video on demand (VOD), [[Push-VOD#Push video on demand]], Catch-Up TV, PVR, and legacy upgrades for older boxes.

===Liberator=== [[File:Set-top Box, 2013.png|thumb|A set-top box with 'Inview Inside' which allows terrestrial TV and simultaneous [[internet connection]].]]

In October 2012, Inview developed "Liberator 3", an OTT cloud-based platform for Pay TV operators and telcos wishing to equip their customers with tailor made connected set-top boxes for broadcast and broadband internet content.

===Broadcast services=== In territories where the broadband infrastructure is underdeveloped, Inview offers a broadcast service with advertising, Push-VOD, [[Video on demand|catch up TV]] and [[Digital video recorder|PVR]].<ref name="underdeveloped countries">{{cite web|title=News – Inview to showcase its Broadcast Advertising and Push-VOD solutions at Broadcast Asia 2014|url=http://inview.tv/news/view/39/inview-to-showcase-its-broadcast-advertising-and-push-vod-solutions-at-broadcast-asia-2014|website=inview.tv/|accessdate=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129184853/http://inview.tv/news/view/39/inview-to-showcase-its-broadcast-advertising-and-push-vod-solutions-at-broadcast-asia-2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=broadcast-asia>{{cite web|title=INVIEW TECHNOLOGY|url=http://www.broadcast-asia.com/ptm/ShowCat/exhdetail.asp?exhid=BCA869655|website=broadcast-asia.com|accessdate=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726130715/http://www.broadcast-asia.com/ptm/ShowCat/exhdetail.asp?exhid=BCA869655|archive-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Legacy upgrades=== Inview's solution{{buzzword inline|date=November 2020}} for existing (older) deployed set-top boxes is to offer applications including an EPG and TV apps that can run in devices with limited memory and processing power.<ref name="Advanced Television Ltd">{{cite web|title=Inview gives new life to legacy STBs|url=http://advanced-television.com/2014/03/19/inview-gives-new-life-to-legacy-stbs/|website=advanced-television.com|date=19 March 2014|publisher=Advanced Television Ltd}}</ref><ref name="BroadcastAsia 2014">{{cite web|title=ONLINE SHOW CATALOGUE|url=http://www.broadcast-asia.com/ptm/ShowCat/exhdetail.asp?exhid=BCA869655|website=broadcast-asia.com|publisher=BroadcastAsia 2014|accessdate=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726130715/http://www.broadcast-asia.com/ptm/ShowCat/exhdetail.asp?exhid=BCA869655|archive-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> By June 2015 Inview had upgraded over 10 million legacy set-top boxes worldwide.<ref name=Inview>{{cite web|url=http://inview.tv/news/view/56/inview-and-irdeto-deliver-ip-connected-stb-software-and-services-for-leading-thai-pay-tv-operator|title=News – Inview and Irdeto deliver IP connected STB software and services for leading Thai pay TV operator – Inview|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626014614/http://inview.tv/news/view/56/inview-and-irdeto-deliver-ip-connected-stb-software-and-services-for-leading-thai-pay-tv-operator|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Lolipop=== Inview has developed the platform for a [[HDMI]] [[dongle]] streaming device called "Lolipop" which is controlled through a smartphone using [[Gesture recognition|gesture control]]. This allows content such as VOD, live-streamed channels and social networking apps to be viewed on a mobile device or on another TV without the need of a set-top box.<ref name="WIFI Dongle">{{cite web|url=http://advanced-television.com/2014/03/07/inview-to-reveal-next-generation-ott-solution-at-tv-connect-2014/|title=Inview to reveal next generation OTT solution at TV Connect 2014|date=7 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Lolipop>{{cite web|title=Inview website|url=http://inview.tv/news/view/34/inview-gives-new-life-to-legacy-stbs|publisher=Inview Technology|accessdate=14 April 2014|archive-date=15 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415035231/http://inview.tv/news/view/34/inview-gives-new-life-to-legacy-stbs|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Board members== In February 2014, [[Martin Edwards]] (Honorary Life President of Manchester United) and Koen Van Driel (ex-CEO of [[Technicolor SA|Thomson]] and [[Grundig]] Set-Top Box Divisions) were appointed Board Directors of Inview Technology.

==Partnerships== In 2014 their partners included: [[KAONMEDIA|Kaon]], [[Humax]], [[Skyworth]], [[Broadcom]], Alitech, Mstar, [[Novatek]], [[Farncombe]], Goosat, Hopeful, [[Atech Grand Prix|ATech]], Giec, MTC and MICO.

In previous years, Inview has been in partnership with companies such as [[Top Up TV]], the On Demand Group (ODG) and [[Teletext Ltd.|Teletext]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/01/31/radio-times-to-run-freeview-epg/|title=Radio Times to run Freeview EPG|newspaper=Broadband TV News|date=31 January 2011}}</ref>

==See also== {{Portal|Television}} *[[Enhanced TV]] *[[Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV]] *[[Hybrid digital TV]] *[[Interactive television]] *[[List of digital distribution platforms for mobile devices]] *[[Over-the-top content]]

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

[[Category:Technology companies established in 1996]] [[Category:Software companies established in 1996]] [[Category:British companies established in 1996]] [[Category:Technology companies of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Companies based in Cheshire]] [[Category:Northwich]]